These are the Undrafted Free Agents and Tryout players signed by GB. Which ones do we think have the best chance of making the roster and/or practice squad?

Packers
OT Andy Hartline (Central Michigan)
WR Andy Brodell (Iowa)
RB Tyrell Sutton (Northwestern)
WR Kole Heckendorf (North Dakota State)
TE Carson Butler (Michigan)
WR Jaron Harris (SDSU)
OT Evan Dietrich-Smith (Idaho State)
WR Patrick Williams (Colorado)
DE Ron Talley (Delaware)
LB Michael Bibbs (Iowa State)
WR Jamarko Simmons (Western Michigan)
P Kurt Achter (UW-Oshkosh)



I think Sutton has a better than 50% chance of beiting out Wynn and make the regular roster as a change-of-pace back.

Jamarko Simmons with his size and speed could replace either Ruvell Martin at WR, or even make it as a TE / H-back. I'd say 25% chance.

Good practice squad candidates may include the TE from Michigan Carson Butler, OT Hartline, DE Taley and WR Harris from San Diego State.

What do you think?

Thompson spent the past 4 years building depth on the roster and acquiring a few starters. During each of those years some of the UDFA's stuck to the final 53. This year, Thompson moved up to get a 2nd 1st rounder who has a great chance to start along with the other 1st rounder. I think there are fewer depth spots available this year compared to the past so I am not as certain as some might be about the future with GB for the UDFA group. That said, I think Sutton has the best chance and then maybe Butler. I like Jamarko but does GB keep 6 WRs? I could only see him beating ouy Ruvell and RM is Rodgers' guy!

The little 55 gallon barrel named Sutton.

I'm also on the Sutton and Simmons bandwagon. Sutton just seems to have the, "it" factor you look for in a running back. Not a terribly fast or powerful guy, but neither were backs like Curtis Martin and Shaun Alexander in their prime. They had vision, enough speed to hit the hole hard, great instincts and knew how to bounce off tacklers. Sutton seems to have those same qualities. Not saying he'll be elite or anything, but who knows, stranger things have happened. Either way, I think the competition for running back should be wide open, and it should be a fierce one that pushes all of them to get better. Never a bad problem to have.

Simmons meanwhile seems like he could be a player, especially if Jennings takes him under his wing. That could really accelerate Simmons' learning curve and help him to do all the little things that Jennings does so well. Plus, while WR doesn't seem like a crazy need, Driver is getting up there. I know the guy is in crazy good shape, but look how fast Marvin Harrison fell off the cliff. Plus, James Jones has had trouble staying on the field. Another big, strong and fast WR that runs good routes could be a real nice addition.

Looking back over a couple of the bowl games i see johnson as just a good blocker, but Sutton with a flex cast was fearless. not only did he run through tackles and catch the screen pass for big yards but he blocked linemen and lb's time after time. He impressed me.

Hello

I agree with the Sutton Simmons picks. However, I would also like to see (unlikely) Brodell make it. He is fast wirey and can return punts and kickoffs.

Thanks

Wolfman 24

P Kurt Achter (UW-Oshkosh) According to Tom Peliserro of the GP P-G this person does not exist. Nor does another oft reported signee Dario Nanni, OG, Stillman Valley in fact as far as I know neither does the school unless its a HS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillman_Valley,_Illinois

WR Andy Brodell is not on the list could be that his reported signing was in error.

Heres the official list of signed UDFA:

http://www.packers.com/news/releases/2009/05/01/1/

Packers Sign 11 Non-Drafted Free Agents
posted 05/01/2009

Prior to their Rookie Orientation Camp this weekend, the Green Bay Packers signed 11 rookie free agents. The additions were announced Friday by Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.

9 Patrick Williams WR 6-1 204
Colorado (DeSoto, Texas)
Williams, 23, played in 48 career games for the Buffaloes as a four-year letterman. Elected a team captain as a senior in 2008, Williams established career highs in receptions (30), receiving yards (322) and touchdowns (2). He finished his career with 107 catches for 1,116 yards and three touchdowns.

17 Jamarko Simmons WR 6-2 231
Western Michigan (Flint, Mich.)
Simmons, 23, set Western Michigan single-season records in 2008 for receiving yards (1,276) and receptions (104). A four-year letterman who appeared in 47 career games, he established a new school record with 260 catches, totaling 3,016 yards and 17 touchdowns.

19 Kole Heckendorf WR 6-2 191
North Dakota State (Mosinee, Wis.)
Heckendorf, 23, finished his career as the school's all-time leader in receptions (178) and receiving yards (2,732), while his 17 career touchdowns rank fifth. A four-year starter, he earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference second-team honors in 2008.

23 Tyrell Sutton RB 5-8 213
Northwestern (Akron, Ohio)
Sutton, 23, was a four-year letterman for the Wildcats and finished second on the school's all-time list for rushing (3,886) and all-purpose yards (5,138). He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors each of his last three seasons after earning the conference's Freshman of the Year honors in 2005.

47 Carson Butler TE 6-4 255
Michigan (Detroit, Mich.)
Butler, 21, appeared in 32 games and was a three-year letterman at Michigan. He finished his collegiate career with 41 receptions for 429 yards and three touchdowns and appeared in three games at defensive end as a senior in 2008.

48 Travis Dekker TE 6-4 256
Air Force (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Dekker, 23, was a three-year letterman and two-year starter at Air Force. Twice honored as an academic all-conference selection, Dekker totaled 42 career receptions for 551 yards and five touchdowns.

49 Cyril Obiozor LB 6-4 267
Texas A&M (Pearland, Texas)
Obiozor, 22, played in 48 career games for the Aggies, including starts in his final 28. As a junior in 2007, he led the team in sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (9.5). In 2008, he led all Texas A&M linemen with 45 tackles and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors.

62 Evan Dietrich-Smith G/C 6-2 297
Idaho State (Salinas, Calif.)
Dietrich-Smith, 22, was a four-year starter for the Bengals at a number of positions. He started at left guard as a freshman and sophomore before moving to tackle at the end of his second season. He started at left tackle each of his last two seasons, earning All-Big Sky honorable mention honors in 2008.

64 Ronald Talley DE 6-3 282
Delaware Detroit, Mich.
Talley, 23, played his final two seasons at Delaware after beginning his career at Notre Dame. He appeared in 24 games, including 18 starts, for the Blue Hens and recorded 89 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, over two seasons.

64 Andrew Hartline G/T 6-5 297
Central Michigan (Harrisburg, Pa.)
Hartline, 23, was a four-year starter who started all 52 games of his career, tying the second-longest streak in NCAA history. He started at right tackle his first two seasons before moving to the left side of the line, earning All-MAC honors in his final two seasons.

81 JaRon Harris WR 6-0 193
South Dakota State (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Harris, 22, earned All-Great West Football Conference honors in each of his last three seasons. A wide receiver and return specialist, he finished his collegiate career third on the school's all-time list for receptions (152) and receiving yards (2,241).

I really liked him as well, however, he failed the physical today and was sent home without a contract.



http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/packers.html

I hope Sutton can beat out any combo of Wynn/Lumpkin. (Don't get me wrong, I like Lumpkin... Wynn is OK) After watching some videos of this kid though, he intrigues me quite a bit. He's got good quickness through the hole, excellent balance, agility and strength. The first guy practically never brings him down and his hands aren't bad either. He looks like a good screen pass receiver/runner.

I thought of Obiozor as more of a potential 3-4 DE but are they switching him to LB? He's noted for being an intense competitor which is always a plus.

I like Simmons' measureables and potential... Maybe it's time to carry a 6th WR?

Ehh. Sutton just seems more like a PS candidate to me. Jamarko Simmons looks like a player. I could see him being kept as a backup WR/HB/TE. He has the size to hold up as a blocker and special teams player, the hands to split out wide and catch passes and the build and experience to line up in the backfield as well. I think that kind of versatility could help him to make this team and contribute on offense and special teams. IMO he's the only UDFA this year that might make the team. Just much better depth players across the board. I think that a couple of guys from last year have a better chance to make the team than this year's crop.

I can not see Sutton making this team. I just can not see a guy under 5'8 making this team.

So then I guess you do not see Darren Sproles making this team at anytime if we ever got him

I could see Sproles or even Wolfe as backs who are that size and could make the team. I just don't see that type of explosiveness or vision in Sutton. Wish they'd have picked up Jennings in the sixth.

Did I miss Darrell Blackman RB KR/PR N.C. State on this list?

If he isn't on the list, please add him, as he is also trying out, plus he is one heckuva good PR/KR.

There is a 9:58 video on youtube--- Definitely worth a few secs under 10 minutes of a viewer's life, imo